The Brahminy Kite / Elang Bondol / Burung Garuda (Haliastur indus)

The Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

In Indonesia known as Elang Bondol or Burung Garuda, the Brahminy Kite is the official mascot of Indonesia ; Burung Garuda, and its name has been used as the the first Indonesian airline ; Garuda Indonesia. In India it is considered as the contemporary representation of Garuda, the sacred bird of Vishnu. In Malaysia, the island of Langkawi is named after the bird (‘kawi’ denoting an ochre-like stone used to decorate pottery, and a reference to the bird’s primary plumage colour). In Australia also known as the Red Backed Sea Eagle in Australia due to it’s back color.

They are found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. They are found mainly on the coast and in inland wetlands where they feed on dead fish and other prey. Adults have a reddish brown plumage and a contrasting white head and breast which makes them easy to distinguish from other birds of prey.